It was a clash of titans as Arsenal hosted Bayern Munich while Manchester City visited Real Madrid on Uefa Champions League quarter-final Tuesday.
Europe’s premier competition rolled the back the clock with two thrilling last eight first leg clashes that captured the imagination, with nothing to separate the sides at both venues.
In Madrid, the visitors got the upper hand instantly, with Bernardo Silva putting City ahead after just two minutes.
12 minutes later the contest had turned on its head, with Reuben Dias finding his own net before Rodrygo put Los Blancos in front at the Bernabeu.
Phil Foden levelled matters for the defending champions after the hour mark before Josko Gvardiol gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead for the second time on the night.
Fede Valverde ensured the two sides would start again at the Etihad in eight days time as he made it 3-3 with ten minutes to play.
The six goal thriller was only the fourth instance in Champions League history where both teams scored three plus goals in the first leg of a knockout tie, with the previous occasion also being between City and Madrid two years ago.
Over at the Emirates, Bukayo Saka arrived in sublime form for the hosts, putting the Gunners in front after 12 minutes with an unstoppable low strike to beat Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal.
A defensive mess up between Gabriel and David Raya at the back swung the momentum the way of the hosts moments later — with Serge Gnabry pouncing to equalise against his former club.
For Arsenal it would then be salt added to the wounds, for a familiar foe was back in town.
On his return to North London, Tottenham Hotspur icon Harry Kane put Bayern in front from the penalty spot on the half hour mark.
The England captain’s finish was his sixth at the Emirates, making him the outright leading goalscorer against Arsenal at the ground since its opening back in 2006.
Super sub Leandro Trossard would have a say on proceedings, making it 2-2 and giving the Premier League leaders the lift they needed heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
In the last phase of the game, Mikel Arteta’s side were certain they should have had a penalty for a Neuer challenge on Saka.
The shouts were waved away, though, and the final whistle was blown to kick start the countdown to next week’s highly anticipated second leg.
The action continues on Wednesday with Atletico Madrid hosting Borussia Dortmund before PSG take on Barcelona at the Parc des Princes.
Pictured above: Harry Kane
Image source: @twofootbal8
